3 offbeat places to get married in Baltimore

Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun

Picking the right venue is one of the most important decisions you'll make, which typically makes it one of the hardest. The important part is to book early -- many venues fill up as far as a year in advance. Be sure to ask about the parking situation, capacity and whether they allow outside catering. Some venues have their own wedding planners; others leave that up to you. Here are three quirky and essentially Baltimore places to tie the knot. National Aquarium Have your wedding at the National Aquarium, and it's almost guaranteed to be cute. They've done events near the dolphin tank, and a few sea mammals have joined in the fun (from behind the glass, of course). The Ottobar Yes, you can get married here. Maybe you and your significant other met at a punk or indie-rock show at this Remington club, or maybe you spent most of your Friday and Saturday nights here in college. Either way, you'd be in choice company: Not many couples have gotten married at The Ottobar in the past several years. If you do, just make sure to put us on the list. American Visionary Art Museum Every bride loves options, and the American Visionary Art Museum has plenty, from its antique-y barn to the green, flowery garden. Parking can be tricky, unless you hire a valet. But the scenery can't be beat. --By Sam Sessa

Picking the right venue is one of the most important decisions you'll make, which typically makes it one of the hardest. The important part is to book early -- many venues fill up as far as a year in advance. Be sure to ask about the parking situation, capacity and whether they allow outside catering. Some venues have their own wedding planners; others leave that up to you. Here are three quirky and essentially Baltimore places to tie the knot. National Aquarium Have your wedding at the National Aquarium, and it's almost guaranteed to be cute. They've done events near the dolphin tank, and a few sea mammals have joined in the fun (from behind the glass, of course). The Ottobar Yes, you can get married here. Maybe you and your significant other met at a punk or indie-rock show at this Remington club, or maybe you spent most of your Friday and Saturday nights here in college. Either way, you'd be in choice company: Not many couples have gotten married at The Ottobar in the past several years. If you do, just make sure to put us on the list. American Visionary Art Museum Every bride loves options, and the American Visionary Art Museum has plenty, from its antique-y barn to the green, flowery garden. Parking can be tricky, unless you hire a valet. But the scenery can't be beat. --By Sam Sessa (Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun)

Picking the right venue is one of the most important decisions you'll make, which typically makes it one of the hardest. The important part is to book early -- many venues fill up as far as a year in advance. Be sure to ask about the parking situation, capacity and whether they allow outside catering. Some venues have their own wedding planners; others leave that up to you. Here are three quirky and essentially Baltimore places to tie the knot. National Aquarium Have your wedding at the National Aquarium, and it's almost guaranteed to be cute. They've done events near the dolphin tank, and a few sea mammals have joined in the fun (from behind the glass, of course). The Ottobar Yes, you can get married here. Maybe you and your significant other met at a punk or indie-rock show at this Remington club, or maybe you spent most of your Friday and Saturday nights here in college. Either way, you'd be in choice company: Not many couples have gotten married at The Ottobar in the past several years. If you do, just make sure to put us on the list. American Visionary Art Museum Every bride loves options, and the American Visionary Art Museum has plenty, from its antique-y barn to the green, flowery garden. Parking can be tricky, unless you hire a valet. But the scenery can't be beat. --By Sam Sessa